Various Ways on How a Woman Can Become Pregnant

Pregnancy Mayo Clinic Alyssa Dweck Conception methods intrauterine insemination "Turkey Baster" Method in vitro fertilization surrogacy IVF

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Jul 13, 12:06 pm

Different ways a woman can conceive are explained below, including those with medical issues and single ladies who no longer desire to wait for the man of their life. While it is easy for some couples to get pregnant, that is not the case for others.

According to Tommy's Org, more than 8 out of 10 couples wherein a woman is under 40 will conceive within one year if regular unprotected sex is the method, while more than 9 out of 10 will get pregnant within two years.

Unprotected sex means having sex every 2 to 3 days without the use of any contraception. Preferring vaginal sex every 2 to 3 days is the best chance of getting pregnant as sperm can live for 2 to 3 days; thus, fresh sperm will be present at all times in a woman's system when they ovulate or release an egg.

Don't leave it to luck

Regular sexual intercourse the day before ovulation can improve the odds of conceiving.

Ovulation is the procedure in which a mature egg is freed from the ovary. After its release, the egg will descend to the fallopian tube and stays there for 12 to 24 hours, where it can be fertilized.

Sperms can exist five days after sexual intercourse inside the female reproductive tract under the right conditions.

The highest chance of conceiving is when live sperm are present in the fallopian tube during ovulation.

Ovulation signs and symptoms can be seen beyond the calendar, per Mayo Clinic, such as changes in vaginal secretion (Cervical Mucus) and basal body temperature. Cervical Mucus is lessened and becomes thicker, cloudy, obscure, and inconspicuous as an increase in clear, wet, and stretchy vaginal secretions can be noticed.

The body's temperature at rest slightly increases during ovulation. Make use of thermometers that are specifically designed to measure basal body temperature.

Take note of the results and check for a pattern to emerge. A woman will be most fertile during the 2 to3 days before the temperature rises.

The highest pregnancy rate usually occurs in couples who have sexual intercourse every day or every other day. If sexual intercourse every day cannot be achieved, do it every 2 to 3 days a week starting soon after the end of the period, when the woman is most fertile.

Underweight and overweight women risk ovulation disorders; thus, an average weight should be maintained.

Ways to get pregnant

To improve the odds of conceiving, avoid smoking as it has multiple adverse effects on fertility and general health, especially on a fetus's health.

Avoid drinking heavy alcohol and any kind of alcohol as it decreases fertility. It's best not to drink alcohol if a woman hopes to conceive.

Intense exercise of more than five hours a week has been linked to decreased ovulation, so it is best not to overdo it.

Alyssa Dweck, M.D., co-author of V is Vagina, provides four options for conceiving, per Women's Health.

1. Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

This method is when the sperm is matched with the egg inside the uterus. It can work with a partner, donor, or sperm bank. Expect to spend anywhere from $300 to $800 per cycle.

2. "Turkey Baster" Method

This one gathers sperm from a known donor or sperm bank, costing $150 and up. Such sperm will be implanted with a turkey baster.

3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF is the process where the infertility specialist will collect the eggs using a small needle leading through the pelvic cavity and will combine them with the sperm in a lab. Once the egg and sperm create an embryo, it will be placed back into the uterus using a catheter. This procedure can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $17,00.

4. Surrogacy

Lastly, Surrogacy is usually known as rent-a-womb. In this process, the infertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist uses the IVF procedure to place the embryo into a surrogate's uterus. A surrogate fee plan costs anywhere between $10,000 to $40,000.